Thursday, October 17, 2013

Midoctober

These last weeks have been so good. Everything feels all painted together in bold, broad strokes that look just right. The weather has been something that I dream about on days when it's otherwise. Being at my dad's house to begin going through my mother's belongings was very much what I thought it would be like. I think my sister and I spent more time giggling over things than we did crying. We felt her right there with us, laughing. And we teased her memory over some of the fashion choices she made that hung in her closet. Of course there were tears. Over shawls we remember braiding the fringe of to stay occupied during Liturgy. But thankfully there was one for each of us. That was the good part. Choosing things for people. Thinking about who might like a piece of jewelry or a handknit sweater. It was like continuing her work to spread some love and gifts around. That was so nice. Saving things for grand-daughters, looking forward to a special time to give them each something. We also set aside things for dad to take to Greece this winter. For his sisters and his sisters-in-law. They miss her so much. Dad has a whole huge crate of furniture and such that he is shipping to his house in Greece. He mentioned plans of putting a quilt in there a few weeks ago that mom made. I asked him which and his answer made me realize that it was one Mom and I had chosen the fabrics for in NYC on a trip together. So I asked if he could leave that one here and I would bring him one even bigger and better suited for the bed it was to go on. I knew full well as I offered that, that I likely didn't have one that size. So in the midst of lots of other time sensitive work, for three days I stopped to make a new patchwork quilt for him to take to Greece. And now the other is safe at home with me. Folded at the end of my bed. For extra warmth. Worth the scurry.

My Aunt Beth from Indiana was here for a visit and to meet Miss Mary Anna Louisa. This woman is an utter joy. She exudes such an air of peace and joyfulness that it is impossible to not feel peace and joy in her presence. So much like Mom. But of course completely unique and wonderful in other ways. We played with Mary. I gave her many of Mom's things. As we went through items she had stories for so much of mom's jewelry that I had never heard. It was wonderful. I showed her my fabrics and everything in my studio. Described what the process of making fabric it is like. I tested her to see if she could pick out the print discrepancies in my latest strike offs. We talked so much. Talked about all the kids. We shopped. We bought little gold leather shoes with bows on the toes for Mary. Her first pair of shoes. I'm so glad I did that with Aunt Beth. We bought new buttons for a knitted romper that I made for the baby. She had the perfect suggestion of using two sizes of buttons since there weren't enough of one size at the store. It was so simple. But I wouldn't have thought of it. We bought new soup bowls for me. We ate. We filled the bowls with chili that night and sat with my Uncle Linden and Jeff and all the children around our long dining table and enjoyed conversation that went in all directions. Baby Mary gave her a million smiles in just two days. Fell asleep for an hour or two on her lap. Passed out cold, all limbs splayed out. She never does that.

And we are doing so much else in the studio. We have shipped a painted backdrop and lots of other goodies to Houston for my Quilt Market booth. I am going over Dowry ribbon samples for a late fall delivery- they are so beautiful- oh how I love them. I've just finished making corrections to the first round strike offs for the Spring'14 fabrics. I am making plans with Heather to help her teach in Palm Springs in January. I am making plans to teach at MQG Sew Down Nashville in April. We are shipping out the first batch ofpre-sold prints today, the rest should ship out middle of next week. Then we should be on track to ship as they sell. This was so fun to do. Out of the norm here, and just cool to do something entirely independently. We are planning the next series ofJanome free projects and videos. I will also be guest posting regularly at their FB page and blog starting next month.

I am in disbelief that our baby girl is more than four months. She babbles entire symphonies, smiles at everyone, absolutely everyone and is the most kissable, huggable, strong and lovely little bitty human. She just is. She is so fun to love. So easy to love. And buttoning a sweater up to her fat little chin to meet the cool air on the other side of our front door is really all I need.
Even so, there is a whole lot more.
kisses from here, xoxoAnna

16 comments:

So much goodness in these photos and in this post. I love all that you create and share with us, it sounds like you've had quite a whirlwind month and I cannot wait to read your guest posts for Janome!

I wonder if you could do a post about tying a quilt? With lots and lots of informations and details and descriptions about anything one could ever possibly start to wonder about. I am tying quilts for my children right now and of course I need practise since they are my first but I somehow feel like there should be a better way or that the knots should hold better, and I guess I've just made very possible misstake you can make so it would be so interesting knowing how you do it and where and with what and and and until you can't come up with another "and" to answer. Could you, please?

Great post! Thank you for sharing. Your story made me think about my grandmother...I wish she was still here... Quilting with me. Estheresthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot comipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com

Such a beautiful post. I loved reading about the time spent with your mother's things. How sweet that time must have been. And I do so love reading about Miss Mary Anna Louisa. What a cutie she is! And for the millionth time, I so wish I could be at Market and stop by your booth! I hope there will be plenty of baby zazz happening over there. And Instagramming. :D x's and o's!

Your description of you and your sister braiding the fringe on your mother's shawl reminded me of how I used to play with the fringe on my own mother's. It was brown, gold and white. I had completely forgotten about that. I'm glad you shared it here.

Love this post! Love to read about your process of going through your Mom's things, and the laughter with the tears. You are so well- adjusted and see it as a normal process of life, which it is! Loved reading what a joy Mary is! We first came to your blog to be creatively inspired, but we return because you inspire us as a Mother, a daughter, and a friend!

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